Nova Scotians asked to get prepared as hurricane season heats up

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking in September

HALIFAXtoday \  Meghan Groff

The province’s Emergency Management Office (EMO) is asking Nova Scotians to get prepared as hurricane season heats up.

The basic checklist includes:

• having enough food and water for 72 hours
• monitoring local media outlets for updates
• securing gates, doors and windows
• moving yard furniture and securing trash cans, hanging plants and anything that can be picked up by wind
• checking radio batteries
• filling vehicles with gas and parking them away from trees
• keeping pets inside
• moving any type of watercraft to high ground
• ensuring the safety of you and your family
• checking on neighbours
• if the power goes out, not leaving candles unattended

“Nova Scotians should continue to follow COVID-19 public health directives,” said EMO in a news release. “Stores often have longer lineups before a storm, and physical distancing of two metres (six feet) and masks are still required.”

A tropical cyclone information statement is currently in effect for Nova Scotia as Tropical Storm Henri makes its way north.

In a Friday morning interview, the Canadian Hurricane Centre’s Ian Hubbard said Henri could make landfall in the Cape Cod area over the weekend.

The system should lose steam as it passes over land and cooler waters, so it’s expected to be post-tropical by the time it comes our way.

“There’s still a little bit of uncertainty on exactly where it’s going to go and the timing of it, so we’ll be paying attention to it over the weekend,” he said.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking in September.